Postgrad MSc in medical image computing at University College London's (UCL) Centre for Medical Image Computing (CMIC) builds on the university's standing as a world class centre for medical research
Commencing in September 2007, the MSc is open to students with prior computing experience.
Candidates can find out more during an open day, at 1pm on Friday 20 April at UCL.
MSc medical image computing is structured to support full-time students and those currently in employment, equipping them to participate effectively in a research, industrial or healthcare environment.
The course provides a rigorous background in medical image acquisition coupled with state-of-the-art medical image analysis for diagnosis and therapy.
The UK is a global hotbed for medical imaging, and UCL is particularly well placed to play a key role in the development of this industry.
The university will soon be home to the Medical Research Council's National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR).
Meanwhile, UK health minister Patricia Hewitt recently announced that - following a successful bid - University College London Hospital (UCLH) will become one of five new comprehensive biomedical research 'centres of excellence' across the country.
A number of MSc medical image computing students will also have the chance to complete projects with external organisations, for example Ixico - a spin-out company co-founded by members of CMIC.
Ixico works with several of the world's largest pharmaceutical, biotechnology and healthcare companies, and currently employs a number of CMIC PhD and post doctorate researchers.
Course leader David Atkinson believes UCL's MSc medical image computing offers the opportunity to work in one of the UK's most innovative and exciting industries.
He comments: "This course will allow students to build on existing skills in an area with real potential to positively impact on people's lives.
"The applications of medical imaging are wide ranging and include enhancements in surgical techniques, radiotherapy, prosthetics and pharmaceutical development.
"The considerable cost of bringing drugs to market, usually measured in billions of pounds, is one factor driving the rising demand for medical imaging skills.
"New techniques allow pharmaceutical companies to assess the therapeutic benefits of drugs prior to changes in observable symptoms, achieving significant cost savings."
